System for steering a toy vehicle

ABSTRACT

A steerable toy vehicle includes a first steering plate having a proximal end and a distal end, the first steering plate having a first steering plate pivot point at its distal end, and a second steering plate having a proximal end engaged with the proximal end of the first steering plate so that rotation of the second steering plate in a first rotational direction causes the first steering plate to rotate in a second rotational direction. The vehicle includes at least one tire rotatably coupled to the first steering plate, and at least one tire rotatably coupled to the second steering plate. Rotation of either one of the first or second steering plates in a first rotational direction causes the toy vehicle to steer left, and rotation of the same one of the first or second steering plates in a second rotational direction causes the toy vehicle to steer right.

This application claims the benefit of provisional application No. 61/378,344 filed Aug. 30, 2010 and provisional application No. 61/258,503 filed Nov. 5, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to toy vehicles, and more particularly to toy vehicles that are steerable.

2. Description of the Related Art

Likely since Henry Ford's introduction of mass production techniques to automobile construction and the birth of the car culture in America, manufacturers have produced miniaturized replicas and stylized representations of automobiles and other vehicles for use as toys. Typically placed on the floor or table-top, a user will often grasp the toy vehicle and push it along the surface in an imaginative simulation of driving or other movement. Such toy vehicles may have front wheels that turn when the vehicle's body is grasped and tilted (U.S. Pat. No. 2,386,745) or front and rear axles that rotate in the same direction (U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,216,497; 5,312,288) to produce lateral toy movement (rather than turning).

A need still exists, however, to produce stylized toy representations of vehicles for the imaginative simulation of driving and other movements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A toy vehicle is disclosed that allows steering of both front and back wheels in a coordinated manner to affect steering of the toy vehicle as a whole. In one embodiment, a first steering plate having proximal and distal ends also has a first steering plate pivot point at its distal end. A second steering plate has its proximal end engaged with the proximal end of the first steering plate so that rotation of the second steering plate in a first rotational direction causes the first steering plate to rotate in a second rotational direction. At least one tire is rotatably coupled to the first steering plate, and at least one tire rotatably coupled to the second steering plate. In this configuration, rotation of either one of the first or second steering plates in a first rotational direction causes the toy vehicle to steer left, and rotation of the same one of the first or second steering plates in a second rotational direction causes the toy vehicle to steer right.

A method of steering a toy vehicle is also disclosed that includes rotating a first steering plate about a first steering plate pivot point in a first angular direction, the actuating causing at least one tire rollably connected to the first steering plate to change its axis of rotation, rotating a second steering plate engaged with the first steering plate in a second angular direction directionally opposite from the first angular direction, the second steering plate rotating in response to the rotation of the first steering plate and the rotating the second steering plate causing at least one tire rollably connected to the second steering plate to change its axis of rotation in an angular direction opposite from the change in the axis of rotation of the at least one tire rollably connected to the first steering plate. In this manner, the at least one tire rollably connected to the first steering plate and the at least one tire rollably connected to the second steering plate are steered in opposite angular directions to collectively steer the toy vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principals of the invention. Like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toy vehicle in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, with the vehicle body removed to expose the steering mechanism;

FIG. 2 is an overhead view of the toy vehicle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the front and rear steering plates having a plurality of gear teeth engaged at a geared interface;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the front and rear steering plates engaged at a tongue-in-groove interface;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the front and rear steering plates engaged at a slot and post interface and illustrating one embodiment of a body steering armature;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the front and rear steering plates illustrated in FIG. 5, and illustrating another embodiment of a body steering armature;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the front and rear steering plates illustrated in FIG. 5, and illustrating a third embodiment of a body steering armature;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a fourth embodiment of a body steering armature;

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a raised axle guide on a chassis;

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the front steering plate illustrate in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A toy vehicle steering apparatus, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, includes front and rear steering plates (also referred to as “wheel sliders”), engaged at their respective proximal ends, a chassis to seat the front and rear steering plates and vehicle tires rotatably coupled to the steering plates. A toy vehicle body is rotatably coupled to the chassis and is connected to at least one of the steering plates through a body steering armature. A user, by leaning the toy vehicle body to a first side can cause the front and back wheels to steer the toy vehicle in a first direction, and by leaning the toy vehicle to a second side can cause the front and back wheels to steer the toy vehicle in a second direction. Additionally, a raised axle guide may be provided to enable one or more wheels to lift up during travel of a steering plate, creating a “walking” effect with the toy vehicle as it may be leaned first to one side and then the other by the user.

In one embodiment of a vehicle steering system 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a toy vehicle having four wheels is operable to steer in left and right directions by a user grasping an associated vehicle body and leaning the vehicle body first to one side and then the other as it is pushed forward. Front and rear steering plates (102, 104) are rotatably and slidably coupled at their proximal ends 202 by a steering plate post 106 extending from the front steering plate 102 for receipt by the rear steering plate 104 through a slot 108 on its proximal end. The first and second steering plates (102, 104) are preferably seated on a chassis 110, with each component preferably injection molded or die cast. Front steering plate 102 is rotatably coupled at its distal end 204 to the chassis 110 about a first steering plate pivot point 112 that is itself preferably aligned with the axis of rotation of the left and right front tires (206, 208). The axis of rotation is defined by a front axle 114 (also known as a “wheel spindle”) that joins the left and right front tires (206, 208). Or, the axis of rotation may be defined by individual front wheel axles that are collectively aligned along a single line.

In one embodiment, a body steering armature 116 is coupled to a decorative vehicle body (not shown), with the decorative vehicle body itself rotatably coupled to front and rear body rotation posts (118, 120) through upright body ribs (122, 124) that are preferably molded to the decorative vehicle body (not shown). Rotation of a major axis of the vehicle body is centered about the front and rear body rotation posts (118, 120), enabling the body steering armature 116 to translate rotation of the vehicle body to angular rotation of the second steering plate 104 by means of a steering armature post 126 extending from the body steering armature 116 that engages a channel 128 formed on the second steering plate 104. The front and rear body rotation posts (118, 120) are preferably each defined by a pin bracket screwed to the decorative vehicle body (not shown).

In one embodiment, the second steering plate 104 is rotatably coupled to the chassis 110 at a second steering plate pivot point 130 that aligns with a rear axle 132 connecting left and right rear tires at a distal end 214 of the second steering plate 104. The second steering plate 104 is preferably rotatably coupled to the chassis 110 by means of a small dial shaft which is part of the slider body and that engages with a complementary hole in the chassis that itself defines the second steering plate pivot point 130. Through these mechanisms, rotation of the second steering plate 104 in a first rotational direction causes rotation of the first steering plate 102 in a second rotational direction. Left and right steering over-travel stops (134, 136) are preferably formed on the chassis 110 adjacent the first steering plate 102 to prevent over actuation of the vehicle steering apparatus 100 by over rotation of the body steering armature 116.

During operation, a user may grasp the decorative vehicle body (not shown) to push the vehicle steering apparatus 100 forward on its front and rear tires (206, 208, 210, 212). If a user leans the vehicle body to the right (for example), the vehicle body rotates about the front and rear body rotation posts (118, 120) to trans-late rotation of the coupled body steering armature 116 to lateral movement of the steering armature post 126 in the channel 128, thus causing angular rotation of the second steering plate 104 about the second steering plate pivot point 130. With the second steering plate 104 engaged with the first steering plate 102 at their distal ends 202, rotation of the steering armature post 126 induces the first steering plate 102 to rotate about the first steering plate pivot point 112 as the steering plate post 106 is induced to move by the translation/rotation of the slot 108 about the second steering plate pivot point 130. Because the front and rear wheels are rollably coupled to the first and second steering plates, respectively, the vehicle turns to the right. Similarly, if the vehicle body is leaned to the left, an opposite rotation of the first steering plate 102 is induced through the body steering armature 116 to turn the vehicle to the left.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment for engagement between first and second steering plates. In this embodiment, first and second steering plates (302, 304) are engaged at their proximal ends 306 using complementary gear teeth on each plate. As the second steering plate 304 is caused to rotate about in a first rotational direction 308 about a second steering plate pivot point 310, gear teeth 312, for convenience referred to as the “driving gear,” engage with gear teeth 314 of the first steering plate 302 to drive the first steering plate 302 to rotate in a second angular direction 316. Similarly, if the first steering plate is caused to rotate in a direction opposite from the first rotational direction 316, then the gear teeth 314 (now considered the “driving gear”) would engage with the gear teeth 312 to drive the second steering plate 302 to rotate in a direction opposite from the second angular direction. The various first and second directions are arbitrary, and reference is made alternately to gear teeth 312 and 314 to high-light the ability of either steering plate (302, 304) to drive the other through their engagement between them. As a result of the first and second steering plates (302, 304) rotating about their respective steering plate pivot points (318, 310), the front left and right wheels (206, 208) and rear left and right wheels 210, 212) rollably connected to first and second steering plates (302, 304), respectively, steer the vehicle.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of first and second steering plates (402, 404) engaged at their distal ends 406 with a post and slot arrangement. More particularly, a tongue 408 extends from the first steering plate 402 and is engaged with a groove 410 formed in the second steering plate 404 so that first and second steering plates are rotatably engaged at their distal ends.

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a body steering armature engaged with one of the steering plates. First and second steering plates (102, 104) are rotatably and slidably engaged at their proximal ends 202 with a post 106 extending from the first steering plate 102 for receipt and engagement within a slot 108 formed in the second steering plate 104. A body steering armature 502 is coupled with a decorative vehicle body (not shown) and engages a channel formed by left and right guides (504, 506) with an armature post 508 extending from the body steering armature 502. Rotation of the body steering armature 502 causes the post 508 to push against side walls of the guides (504, 506) inducing rotational movement of the second steering plate 104 about the second steering plate rotation point 130. Although FIG. 5 illustrates the body steering armature 502 driving the second steering plate 104, in an alternative embodiment, the body steering armature drives the first steering plate 102. In such a configuration, the first steering plate 102 may be provided with a suitable channel, slot or guides to receive the body steering armature 502 or its equivalent.

Also illustrated in FIG. 5 are front and rear axles (510, 512) that are, in one embodiment, collinear with first and second steering plate pivot points (112, 130). Or, the one or more of the axles (510, 512) are not collinear with the steering plate pivot points. Although the vehicle steering system 500 illustrated in FIG. 5 has axles 510 and 512 to accommodate four wheels, in other embodiments, the vehicle steering system may be provided with one front and one rear wheel, one front and two rear wheels, or two front wheels and one rear wheel, each preferably rollable coupled to the chassis (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Also, either the front or rear axles (510, 512) or both may be segmented into a plurality of axles rotatably coupled to the chassis such that each wheel is associated with one distinct axle.

FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of a body steering armature in the form of an angular rod. A body steering armature 602 is coupled to and extends from a decorative vehicle body (not shown) for receipt by a channel 604 established on a second steering plate 606. The channel 604 is established in this embodiment by left and right guides (608, 610) that each have a rectangular cross-section. The body steering armature 602 extends into the channel 604 and, when the decorative vehicle body is rotated about a predetermined major axis of the of toy vehicle, the body steering armature 602 servers to translate the vehicle body rotation into rotation of the first steering plate 612 as the body steering armature pushes against side walls of the channel 604. The force of the body steering armature pushing on the side walls is communicated through the engagement of the first and second steering plates (612, 606) at their proximal ends 614.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, alternative embodiments are illustrated for receipt of a body steering armature by a steering plate. For a body steering armature such as that illustrated in FIG. 6 (see reference numeral 602), left and right guides (702, 704) may also be formed as cylindrical tabs to establish a channel 706. Or, a channel 800 may be established by a hole formed in, preferably, the second steering plate 802. In this configuration for receipt of body steering armature 804 that is a straight rod, as the vehicle body (not shown) coupled to the body steering armature is rotated, the body steering armature 804 pushes on sidewalls of the hole to induce the second steering plate 802 to rotate about a second steering plate pivot point 804 that is preferably co-linear with the rear axle 806. Although the channel 800 is illustrated as formed in the second steering plate 802, in an alternative implementation the channel is established in the first steering plate 808. Also, although the body steering armature is illustrated as a cylindrical rod, it may also be formed having another cross section, such as square, oval or polygonal.

FIG. 9 illustrates one embodiment of a steering plate assembly that has a raised axle guide to enable one of the wheels to lift up when turning to create a “walking” effect for a toy vehicle. Raised axle guide 900 is formed as a raised portion on one side of a chassis 902 to receive and guide an axle cam 904 coupled to a front axle 906. The front axle 906 is coupled to a first steering plate through an axle frame support 908 that is itself rotatably coupled to the first steering plate 102 about center pins 910 (front center pin not shown). As the first steering plate 102 is rotated, the coupled axle cam 904 is translated up to and is pushed over the raised axle guide 900, resulting in one side of the axle 906 lifting up relative to the chassis 902 and the remainder of the vehicle wheels. The axle guide 900 is preferably positioned to allow the axle cam 904 to travel up to the axle guide 900, over the top and down the other side of the axle guide 900 as the first steering plate 102 is rotated from center to fully extended, and then back up, over and down the axle guide as the first steering plate 102 is returned to its center position (back to straight travel for the toy vehicle).

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a steering plate assembly 1000, as removed from its associated chassis. The axle cam 904 is seated in a slot 1002 of an axle frame support 1004 to couple a front axle 906 to the first steering plate 102 that itself rotatably coupled to center pins 910 (rear center pin not shown).

While various implementations of the application have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of this invention. 

1. A toy vehicle steering apparatus, comprising: a first steering plate having a proximal end and a distal end, said first steering plate having a first steering plate pivot point at said distal end; a second steering plate having a proximal end engaged with said proximal end of said first steering plate so that rotation of said second steering plate in a first rotational direction causes said first steering plate to rotate in a second rotational direction; at least one tire rotatably coupled to said first steering plate; and at least one tire rotatably coupled to said second steering plate; wherein rotation of either one of said first or second steering plates in a first rotational direction causes said toy vehicle to steer left, and rotation of the same one of said first or second steering plates in a second rotational direction causes said toy vehicle to steer right.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second steering plate comprises a slot to receive a post extending from said first steering plate whereby said first steering plate and said second steering plate are slidably and rotatably engaged at said proximal ends.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said proximal end of said second steering plate comprises a plurality of gear teeth to receive a corresponding plurality of gear teeth on said proximal end of said first steering plate.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a body steering armature coupled to a vehicle body, said body steering armature engaged with one of said first or second steering plates; wherein rotation of said vehicle body about a major axis of said toy vehicle causes said body steering armature to rotate about said major axis, thereby causing rotation of said one of said first or second steering plates through said engagement of said body steering armature with said one of said first or second steering plates.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 4, said body steering armature comprising: a post to engage a channel of one of said first or second steering plates, so that rotation of said body steering armature about said major axis of said toy vehicle pushes said post against side walls of said channel resulting in rotation of said one of said first or second steering plates.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a chassis to seat said first steering plate and said second steering plate.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said first steering plate is rotatably coupled to said chassis at said first steering plate pivot point.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said second steering plate has a distal end rotatably coupled to said chassis at a second steering plate pivot point.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said first steering plate pivot point is aligned with the axis of rotation of said at least one tire.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said chassis further comprises: a raised axle guide to raise an axle connected to one of said at least one tire rotatably coupled to said first steering plate and said at least one tire rotatably coupled to said second steering plate, as a respective one of said first steering plate and said second steering plate is rotated; wherein said toy vehicle steering apparatus appears to walk when steered alternately right and left.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising: an axle frame support coupled to said axle, said axle frame support rotatably coupled to said first steering plate.
 12. A method of steering a toy vehicle, comprising: rotating a first steering plate about a first steering plate pivot point in a first angular direction, said actuating causing at least one tire rollably connected to said first steering plate to change its axis of rotation; rotating a second steering plate engaged with said first steering plate in a second angular direction directionally opposite from said first angular direction, said second steering plate rotating in response to said rotating of said first steering plate and said rotating said second steering plate causing at least one tire rollably connected to said second steering plate to change its axis of rotation in an angular direction opposite from the change in the axis of rotation of said at least one tire rollably connected to said first steering plate; wherein said at least one tire rollably connected to said first steering plate and said at least one tire rollably connected to said second steering plate are steered in opposite angular directions to steer the toy vehicle.
 13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising: guiding an axle cam connected to one of said at least one tire rollably connected to said first steering plate over a raised axle guide as said first steering plate is rotated in said first angular direction.
 14. The method according to claim 12, further comprising: rotating a vehicle body about a major axis of said toy vehicle; translating said rotating of said vehicle body about the major axis of said toy vehicle to said rotating said first steering plate.
 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein said rotating a vehicle body comprises grasping the vehicle body with a hand and applying force to rotate the vehicle body.
 16. The method according to claim 14, wherein said translating said rotating of said vehicle body comprises pushing said first steering plate about said first steering plate pivot point using a body steering armature coupled to said vehicle body.
 17. The method according to claim 14, wherein said rotating said second steering plate is accomplished by a post on said first steering plate pushing against side walls of a slot established in said second steering plate.
 18. The method according to claim 14, wherein said rotating said second steering plate is accomplished by gear teeth on said first steering plate driving complementary gear teeth established on said second steering plate.
 19. A toy vehicle steering apparatus: front and rear steering plates engaged at their respective proximal ends; a chassis to seat said front and rear steering plates; front left and front right tires rollably coupled to a front steering plate and positioned along a front tire rotation axis, said front steering plate rotatably coupled to said chassis at a point along said front tire rotation axis; rear left and rear right tires rollably coupled to a back steering plate and positioned along a rear tire rotation axis, said rear steering plate rotatably coupled to said chassis at a point along said rear tire rotation axis; a toy vehicle body rotatably coupled to said chassis along a major axis of said toy vehicle; a body steering armature coupled to said toy vehicle body, said body steering armature engaged with one of said first or second steering plates; wherein said front left and front right tires steer the toy vehicle in a first direction in response to rotation of said vehicle body about said major axis of said toy vehicle in a first rotational direction and said rear left and rear right tires steer the toy vehicle in a second direction in response to rotation of said vehicle body about said major axis of said toy vehicle in a second rotational direction.
 20. The toy vehicle of claim 19, further comprising: a raised axle guide positioned to raise an axle connected to one of said at front left and front right tires rollably coupled to said front steering plate as a respective one of said first steering plate and said second steering plate is rotated; wherein said toy vehicle steering apparatus appears to walk when steered alternately right and left. 